Esencia Catering in Tampa
5831 Memorial Hwy, Tampa, FL 33615Esencia Catering Inc, a temporary food service operation in Tampa, has undergone six inspections and preoperational reviews between October 2024 and March 2026, with a combined 5 violations cited. The most recent inspection on March 31, 2026 documented 3 intermediate-priority violations: the person in charge did not correctly respond to questions relating to foodborne illness prevention, and the establishment lacked written procedures for employees to follow when responding to vomiting and diarrheal events. An earlier preoperational review on May 12, 2025 cited a similar intermediate-priority violation for absence of written procedures for vomiting and diarrheal events. No emergency closures or disciplinary actions are on record. The facility has not yet obtained a final operating permit; multiple inspections between June and August 2025 documented that the application remained incomplete pending full payment of permit fees. The most recent inspection was completed with requirements met.
Summary generated from Florida DBPR public inspection records.
Esencia Catering in Tampa: Comparison to Hillsborough County Averages
This Facility
0
violations / inspection
0 violations per inspection
Hillsborough County Avg
5.75
violations / inspection
5.75 county average
This Facility
0
emergency closures
0 closures
Hillsborough County Avg
0.25
closures / facility
0.25 county average
Esencia Catering in Tampa: FDACS Inspection History (8)
Inspections conducted by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), which oversees grocery stores, convenience stores, bakeries, food manufacturers, mobile vendors, and vending machines.
— 2 inspections
— Met Preoperational Inspection Requirements· 3 violations· Met Requirements
Comments: When citations have been corrected and initialed, an electronic copy of the completed report may be emailed to
[email protected].
Please note each observation that has been corrected.
Risk-Based Violations
2-102.11(C)(2)-(3)
Person in charge does not correctly respond to questions that relate to preventing
transmission of foodborne disease by a food employee who has a disease or medical condition that may
cause foodborne disease, can not describe symptoms associated with diseases that are transmissible
through food, or can not explain how to comply with reporting responsibilities and exclusion or restriction of
food employees. 2-102.11(C)(2)-(3) and (17) PfPf
Person in charge does not correctly respond to questions relating to foodborne illness.
Employee health guide reviewed with and provided to person in charge.
o
2-501.11
Establishment does not have written procedures for employees to follow when
responding to an event that involves the discharge of vomitus or diarrhea onto surfaces at the food
establishment, or procedures do not address specific actions employees must take to minimize the spread
of contamination and the exposure of employees, consumers, food, and surfaces to vomitus or fecal
matter. 2-501.11 PfPf
Establishment does not have written procedures for employees to follow when responding to
vomiting and diarrheal events. Required components for written procedures reviewed with person in
charge.
95
Establishment does not have a certified food protection manager who has passed a
test through a recognized accredited program. 5K-4.021(1), F.A.C.
Establishment does not have a certified food protection manager.
— Met Preoperational Inspection Requirements· Met Requirements
Comments: Thank you for submitting your food establishment permit application. To complete the application process, you must meet all
permitting requirements as specified in Rule 5K-4.020(2)(a)-(e), F.A.C. To expedite the processing of your food permit application,
electronic online payment is available at https://foodpermit.fdacs.gov. Payment by check or money order is also accepted and must
be accompanied by an invoice. Please note that payment by check or money order may delay the processing of your food permit
application.
Failure to meet all permitting requirements will result in the denial of your permit and you may be subject to administrative penalties
if you are found operating without a valid food permit, which is a violation of Section 500.12(1)(a), Florida Statutes. If you are found
to be in violation of this provision, the Department may impose up to a $5,000.00 fine against you and/or seek administrative action
to suspend food activities.
The Minimum Construction Standards checklist has been used in accordance with 500.12(2)(a) Florida Statutes by the food safety
inspector to determine compliance before obtaining a food permit.
No violations or enforcement actions recorded for this inspection.
— 5 inspections
— Met Sanitation Inspection Requirements· Met Requirements
Comments: The Minimum Construction Standards checklist has been used in accordance with 500.12(2)(a) Florida Statutes by the food safety
inspector to determine compliance before obtaining a food permit.
No violations or enforcement actions recorded for this inspection.
— Met Preoperational Inspection Requirements· Met Requirements
Comments: Payments can be made online at https://foodpermit.fdacs.gov or can be mailed to Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Services, P.O. Box 6720, Tallahassee FL 32314-6720. Checks and money orders are to be payable to Florida Department of
Agriculture and Consumer Services. All payments must include the Food Establishment number and reason of payment type in the
memo section of the check or money order.
The Minimum Construction Standards checklist has been used in accordance with 500.12(2)(a) Florida Statutes by the food safety
inspector to determine compliance before obtaining a food permit.
No violations or enforcement actions recorded for this inspection.
— Met Sanitation Inspection Requirements· Met Requirements
Comments: Request #5131285 Initial Inspection
Thank you for submitting your food establishment permit application. To complete the application process, you must remit
payment in full. To expedite the processing of your food permit application, electronic online payment is available at
https://foodpermit.fdacs.gov. Follow the instructions on the portal page for payment processing. Payment by check or money
order is also accepted, but must be made payable to FDACS and remitted to Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Services, PO Box 6720, Tallahassee, FL 32314-6720. Please note that payment by check or money order may delay the
processing of your food permit application.
Permit fees must be paid in full before your application can be processed further. Failure to pay any permit fees in full will result
in the denial of your permit and you may be subject to administrative penalties if you are found operating without a valid food
permit, which is a violation of Section 500.12(1)(a), Florida Statutes. If you are found to be in violation of this provision, the
Department may impose up to a $5,000.00 fine against you and/or seek administrative action to close your business.
The Minimum Construction Standards checklist has been used in accordance with 500.12(2)(a) Florida Statutes by the food
safety inspector to determine compliance before obtaining a food permit.
Dishwashing Procedures, Food Allergy Awareness, Guidance for Written Procedures Responding to Vomiting and Diarrheal
Events, Norovirus Cleanup Procedures, Employee Health Guidelines and reporting agreement provided.
No violations or enforcement actions recorded for this inspection.
— Met Preoperational Inspection Requirements· Met Requirements
Comments: Request #5133200 Initial Inspection
Thank you for submitting your food establishment permit application. To complete the application process, you must remit
payment in full. To expedite the processing of your food permit application, electronic online payment is available at
https://foodpermit.fdacs.gov. Follow the instructions on the portal page for payment processing. Payment by check or money
order is also accepted, but must be made payable to FDACS and remitted to Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Services, PO Box 6720, Tallahassee, FL 32314-6720. Please note that payment by check or money order may delay the
processing of your food permit application.
Permit fees must be paid in full before your application can be processed further. Failure to pay any permit fees in full will result
in the denial of your permit and you may be subject to administrative penalties if you are found operating without a valid food
permit, which is a violation of Section 500.12(1)(a), Florida Statutes. If you are found to be in violation of this provision, the
Department may impose up to a $5,000.00 fine against you and/or seek administrative action to close your business.
The Minimum Construction Standards checklist has been used in accordance with 500.12(2)(a) Florida Statutes by the food
safety inspector to determine compliance before obtaining a food permit.
Guidance for Written Procedures Responding to Vomiting and Diarrheal Events, Norovirus Cleanup Procedures, Food Allergy
Awareness, Dishwashing Procedures, Employee Health Guidelines and reporting agreement provided.
No violations or enforcement actions recorded for this inspection.
— Met Preoperational Inspection Requirements· 2 violations· Met Requirements
Comments: When citations have been corrected and initialed, an electronic copy of the completed report may be emailed to
[email protected].
Please note each observation that has been corrected.
Thank you for submitting your food establishment permit application. To complete the application process, you must remit
payment in full. To expedite the processing of your food permit application, electronic online payment is available at
https://foodpermit.fdacs.gov. Follow the instructions on the portal page for payment processing. Payment by check or money
order is also accepted, but must be made payable to FDACS and remitted to Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Services, PO Box 6720, Tallahassee, FL 32314-6720. Please note that payment by check or money order may delay the
Risk-Based Violations
2-501.11
Establishment does not have written procedures for employees to follow when
responding to an event that involves the discharge of vomitus or diarrhea onto surfaces at the food
establishment, or procedures do not address specific actions employees must take to minimize the spread
of contamination and the exposure of employees, consumers, food, and surfaces to vomitus or fecal
matter. 2-501.11 PfPf
No written procedures for responding to a vomiting or diarrheal event. Information regarding
written procedures provided to the person in charge.
95
Establishment does not have a certified food protection manager who has passed a
test through a recognized accredited program. 5K-4.021(1), F.A.C.
No certified food protection manager.
— 1 inspection
— Focused Inspection· Focused Inspection
Comments: Visit conducted in response to Hurricane Milton follow-up.
No violations or enforcement actions recorded for this inspection.
Esencia Catering in Tampa: Frequently Asked Questions
- How many health inspections has Esencia Catering in Tampa had?
- Esencia Catering in Tampa has had 0 inspections on record with Florida DBPR, averaging 0 violations per inspection, below the statewide average of 5.2.
- Has Esencia Catering in Tampa ever been shut down?
- No, Esencia Catering in Tampa has no emergency closures on record with Florida DBPR.
- When was Esencia Catering in Tampa last inspected?
- Esencia Catering in Tampa was last inspected by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) on March 31, 2026. Inspection type: Met Preoperational Inspection Requirements.
- How many inspections has Esencia Catering in Tampa had?
- Esencia Catering in Tampa has 8 FDACS food safety inspection(s) on record from January 2022 to present.
- What did the most recent FDACS inspection of Esencia Catering in Tampa find?
- Esencia Catering in Tampa was most recently inspected by FDACS on March 31, 2026 (Met Preoperational Inspection Requirements).
- Has Esencia Catering in Tampa had any stop-sale or stop-use orders?
- No, Esencia Catering in Tampa has no stop-sale or stop-use orders on record with Florida FDACS.
- What are the most common violations at Esencia Catering in Tampa?
- The most frequently cited FDACS violations at Esencia Catering in Tampa are: 2-501.11: Establishment does not have written procedures for employees to follow when responding to an event that involves the discharge of vomitus or diarrhea onto surfaces at the food establishment, or procedures do not address specific actions employees must take to minimize the spread of contamination and the exposure of employees, consumers, food, and surfaces to vomitus or fecal matter. 2-501.11 Pf; 2-102.11(C)(2)-(3): Person in charge does not correctly respond to questions that relate to preventing transmission of foodborne disease by a food employee who has a disease or medical condition that may cause foodborne disease, can not describe symptoms associated with diseases that are transmissible through food, or can not explain how to comply with reporting responsibilities and exclusion or restriction of food employees. 2-102.11(C)(2)-(3) and (17) Pf.
- Does Esencia Catering in Tampa have any repeat violations?
- Yes, Esencia Catering in Tampa has had the following violations cited on multiple FDACS inspections: 2-501.11: Establishment does not have written procedures for employees to follow when responding to an event that involves the discharge of vomitus or diarrhea onto surfaces at the food establishment, or procedures do not address specific actions employees must take to minimize the spread of contamination and the exposure of employees, consumers, food, and surfaces to vomitus or fecal matter. 2-501.11 Pf.
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Editorial Standards & Data Oversight
Data Source: This report is based on official public inspection records from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).
Editorial Process: Content generated using AI to synthesize complex regulatory data, then reviewed and verified for accuracy by our editorial team.
Disclaimer: All data reflects official state records at time of publication. Facilities may have since corrected cited violations, resolved enforcement actions, or changed ownership.
Editor: All content reviewed and verified by Christopher F. Nesbitt, Sr., Nationally Registered EMT & BU-trained Paralegal.
This page is maintained by FloridaFoodSafety.org and is not affiliated with Esencia Catering. How we collect and verify this data.